I have been a resident of Rockland County for more than 30 years, and over that time, I have spent countless election nights staying up late and refreshing the Board of Elections website to follow the unofficial results as they came in. I have also had the opportunity to know and work with elected officials from different political parties and across the ideological spectrum. One thing I have learned through those experiences is that, at the local level, elected officials are people who care about their communities and want to make them better. Of course they often approach that goal from different perspectives and with different abilities and resources. Some serve briefly, while others dedicate many years to public service. I have seen Rockland County under both Democratic and Republican leadership, and while there are certainly important differences between the parties, I believe that most residents and those they elect share many of the same fundamental priorities.

Regardless of political affiliation, people want to live in safe, affordable communities. They want their children to receive a good education, their roads to be maintained and plowed during the winter, their parks to be clean and accessible, and their communities to thrive. While social media and political discourse increasingly encourage us to view one another through a divisive lens, the reality is that we share many common values and concerns. Recognizing those shared interests is an important part of what makes us a community.

At the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County, we are fortunate to have worked for the benefit of our community with elected leaders of all stripes over the years. Whether it has been speaking out against antisemitism, working hand in hand with us to ensure the safety of our Jewish institutions and houses of worship, or making sure the voices and concerns of our Jewish communities are heard, we have appreciated leaders who have been willing to work with us especially in our times of need, regardless of party affiliation.

While the recent election was a powerful demonstration of civic engagement, and we are encouraged by strong voter participation, we have concerns that bear watching. Democracy works best when people show up, participate, and exercise their right to vote, but it is threatened by the use of fear and ugly tropes to gain a few more ballots.

We congratulate all those who were elected this week and we thank those leaving office for their service and for the relationships they have built with us and the diverse Jewish communities throughout Rockland County.

As we look ahead, the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County remains committed to working with elected officials on a nonpartisan basis, finding common ground and identifying opportunities to work together. Our goal is to continue building relationships to safeguard our community and contribute to a Rockland County that is an incredible place to live for everyone.